James Fallows, Carter’s head speechwriter from 1977-78, reflects on Carter’s appeal, drive and post-presidency with columnist David Allen.
. Even more so since the former president, now in hospice care, seems to be in his final days.
“He has essentially invented what the post-presidency can be,” Fallows said. “There was no template for what Carter would end up doing. He has invented the role of ‘former president’: home builder, peace advocate, disease fighter, election monitor.” Fallows’ parents drove out to the fairgrounds from Redlands. Carter gave his aide’s parents a thrill by greeting them.
He learned how to write quickly and conversationally, to write in the president’s voice and to develop a grasp of policy and how to explain it to the public. Fallows, like everyone else, was working almost nonstop and he had to be available at almost any time, even with a newborn son at home.“He is a very decisive, clear-minded, confident person,” Fallows said. He added dryly, “He was a firmer leader than his post-presidential image as the leading humanitarian of the world.”“The worst part of a speechwriter’s job is writing jokes, such as for the Gridiron dinner,” Fallows said. “I remember getting drafts back from Carter saying ‘very poor — see me.
“I don’t remember anyone giving me a hard time or being overly impressed,” Fallows said. Being a president’s speechwriter, he explained, is an anonymous job.
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